[Elecraft] HI Current

[Bruce Chadbourne]

Gerry responded to me off-list (below). I think your "Siri translation"
meant reseating all plugs on the K3 and and maybe "Colex" was "coax."  In
response, yes I think I'm ok on those two points but will keep my eyes
open.  Interesting that a couple other guys are seeing this. So far I think
it's only 20m; again, I'll have to keep a better system log.

Somebody else mentioned the Anderson pole connector - I've been in good
shape for several years so I expect it had been assembled correctly; but
I'm wondering if the connector surfaces are known for oxidizing?
Bruce / KE1CY

"I have not been following all of the messages in this thread, so if I am
repeating something I am sorry. Have you checked grounds? Also have you
checked to make sure that all of the Colex connectors are tight and have
you tried receiving all of the plugs on the K-3? Thank you and Merry
Christmas from WB6 I VfI am dictating this message through Siri, so I
apologize for spelling and grammar.

Sent from my iPhone this time"


On Tue, Dec 16, 2014 at 2:26 AM, Gerry leary <gerryleary99 at icloud.com>
wrote:
>
> I have not been following all of the messages in this thread, so if I am
> repeating something I am sorry. Have you checked grounds? Also have you
> checked to make sure that all of the Colex connectors are tight and have
> you tried receiving all of the plugs on the K-3? Thank you and Merry
> Christmas from WB6 I VfI am dictating this message through Siri, so I
> apologize for spelling and grammar.
>
> Sent from my iPhone this time
>
> > On Dec 15, 2014, at 7:19 PM, Bruce Chadbourne <
> bruce.chadbourne at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Don, et. al.
> > Thanks for the replies. I can repeat this problem (a good thing) at 20m
> CW
> > around 14.115 Mhz.
> > Power supply (Astron VS-35M, front panel meters) showing proper voltage,
> > and current knob set toward max.
> > At 14.050, SWR reads 1.0 on the K3. Power set at 100w. Voltage reads
> 13.8v,
> > then with key down, K3 meter says 23 amps, voltage drops to 12.6v    No
> HI
> > CUR warning.
> >
> > At 14.115, SWR still 1.0, 100 watts,  13.8v, put the key down, the HI CUR
> > warning appears most of the time (so I can't read voltage/amp on K3
> meter).
> > One time it didn't show, and current was still 23-ish amps, and voltage
> > 12.6; at which point I realized the rig had automatically reduced power
> > from 100 to 88 watts.   The ammeter on the Power supply reads about 17
> amps
> > at both freqs, with and without HI CUR warning.  The power supply voltage
> > meter does not show the deflection below 13v, stays rock steady. That
> seems
> > to say the voltage drop under load is happening at the terminals or power
> > cord
> >
> > Per your suggestion I checked the lugs on the back of the power supply -
> > very firm, but I guess  I'll disconnect the leads and clean them and
> repeat
> > the test.
> > I guess my question to the experts in the group: does a 1.2 volt drop at
> > the rig sound normal at 100w? I am using the power lead that came with
> the
> > K3 kit; it looks healthy, hasn't been out of the shack on any field day
> ops
> >
> >
> >> On Mon, Dec 15, 2014 at 4:20 PM, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> Bruce,
> >>
> >> I would expect a Hi REFL message rather than Hi Cur if SWR was the
> problem.
> >> Check your power supply connections.  If you have bolts and nuts on the
> >> power supply output terminals, if the bolts turn (even slightly) when
> you
> >> tighten the nuts, you will have to dig inside the power supply to fully
> >> tighten the bolts to the lugs on the inside.
> >>
> >> With Elecraft gear, a low power supply voltage will result in a higher
> >> current draw from the power supply.  Elecraft gear seeks to maintain the
> >> requested power output, and a low supply voltage means that the current
> >> must increase to maintain the power level.
> >>
> >> 73,
> >> Don W3FPR
> >>
> >>
> >>> On 12/14/2014 4:18 PM, Bruce Chadbourne wrote:
> >>>
> >>> To the list:
> >>>
> >>> I occasionally get the Hi Current warning on my K3. I notice it cuts my
> >>> power back about 10% from 100w.  My initial assumption is that my SWR
> is
> >>> too high - but the SWR meter is easily less than 2.0  I run the ATU
> which
> >>> confirms SWR about 1.2 or so.
> >>> So what am I missing - something bad in my transmission line?
> >
> > --
> > Bruce Chadbourne PgMP
> > 1034 W Beagle Run Loop
> > Hernando, FL 34442
> > 352-453-5456
> >
> > If urgent, the best way to reach me is by phone. Thank you.
> > ______________________________________________________________
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> > Message delivered to gerryleary99 at me.com
>


-- 
Bruce Chadbourne PgMP
1034 W Beagle Run Loop
Hernando, FL 34442
352-453-5456

If urgent, the best way to reach me is by phone. Thank you.